Northants backs SCR into death of older couple in freeze

Northamptonshire Council has voiced support for a serious case review into the deaths of an older couple who were found dead in their freezing home last Thursday.

The case of Jean and Derek Randall has caused widespread concern after it was reported that local MP Sally Keble contacted the council before Christmas to raise concerns about their welfare. Jean was disabled and Derek her carer.

Northamptonshire Council’s cabinet member for health and adult social services, Robin Brown, said: “This is a tragic and upsetting case and we fully support the possibility of a serious case review being carried out to investigate fully the surrounding circumstances.”

It will be up to the county’s adult safeguarding board to decide whether to carry out an SCR but the council has started an internal management review to examine the council’s involvement in the case.

Counsel and Care chief executive Stephen Burke also backed calls for an inquiry. “We are concerned that many older people will be affected by the cold weather and cuts in council budgets,” he said.

No date has been set for when the safeguarding board will take a decision.

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